INTERVIEW PREPARATION

 Use “mini-stories” describing specific situations that quantify experience - make analogies to the
position for which you are interviewing
 Ask: “What are you looking for in this position?”
 Ask for evaluation of qualifications at end of interview
 Remember: “Your job is to make the hiring manager look good”
 Push for next step: “What is the next step?”
 Research company: go to company’s website
 ***Have questions prepared about company, i.e. products services, background, unique traits,
differentiators, problems, successes, failures, future, opportunities, threats***
 Get a clear understanding of what the employer expectations are for the position
 Ask: “What do you want this person to accomplish?”
 Ask: “How do you measure successful performance?”
 Ask: “What are the criteria used in measuring successful performance?”
 Ask: “What are your priorities?” In the next 30, 60, 90 days? 1st year?
 Ask: “What do I need to accomplish in the 1st year to be successful?

 *********Create Value*************
 Tell “war stories”
 Mirror the interview with accomplishments that fit situation
 Ask: “Do you have any concerns in me doing this job?”
 People hire who they like, create chemistry
 Qualify the employer’s true needs
 Ask: “What are the company’s goals in 90, 180 days? 1st year?”
 Provide information on your background and skills that is verifiable
 Ask: “What is the biggest challenge I am going to face in next 90 days?”
 Don’t assume they know everything about you or have read your résumé
 Ask: “What is important to you in this position?” (Direct this ? toward each interviewer)
 Show enthusiasm
 Have well prepared questions – and be prepared to discuss accomplishments, their value to
your former or current employer -
 Let that hiring manager know you are interested in their organization!
 Follow-up interview with: email, thank you letter, or hand written note
 Show genuine interest: Get employer talking
 Be prepared to answer: “Tell me about yourself” in a one minute summary statement
 Prepare a one minute summary statement that has 3 parts: overall experience, special skills,
personal attributes
 You get what you expect: If you go into interview expecting a job offer, you will get it, if you go
into interview expecting to qualify job, that’s what you will get
 Main objective: “Sell Yourself”
 Ask for next step, even if there are concerns “ I feel this is a great fit for me/my career. Is
there any reason that you feel I am not the right fit for this position? or that I am not the
right person for this position?” If you get a yes – address the concern and continue to
ask – is there anything else I may clear up for you….once you get a no – ask for the next
step…ie: where do we go from here? This is vital! You’ll know where you stand!
 Call me within 30 minutes of interview ending (if you can) If I don’t hear from you, I am going to
assume you aren’t interested in this position and let them know you are not interested as well. It
is imperative that we determine we are or are not proceeding.
 Carry through with interview professionally even if 5 minutes into it, you realize it’s not a fit
 Never tell an employer you can do something if you haven’t done it in the past and can prove
performance
 Build Chemistry – develop rapport - **** This is Extremely Important ****